State's holiday 'Booze It & Lose It' campaign kicks off Friday

Published: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 8:56 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 8:56 a.m.

State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti announced Friday that state and local law enforcement officers will be out in force as part of the Holiday "Booze It & Lose It" campaign. Checkpoints and stepped-up patrols will be conducted beginning Friday through Jan. 2 across North Carolina in an effort to remove impaired drivers from the roads.

"Make the responsible decision to designate a driver if you plan to drink this holiday season," Conti said. "The choice you make could save a life."

In 2011, there were more than 950 alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina during the holiday campaign, which ran from Dec. 3 through Jan. 2, resulting in 44 fatalities and 702 injuries.

Officers charged more than 3,600 North Carolina motorists with driving while impaired during the 2011 Holiday "Booze It & Lose It" campaign. More than 10,000 stepped-up patrols and checkpoints were conducted.

<p>State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti announced Friday that state and local law enforcement officers will be out in force as part of the Holiday "Booze It & Lose It" campaign. Checkpoints and stepped-up patrols will be conducted beginning Friday through Jan. 2 across North Carolina in an effort to remove impaired drivers from the roads.</p><p>"Make the responsible decision to designate a driver if you plan to drink this holiday season," Conti said. "The choice you make could save a life." </p><p>In 2011, there were more than 950 alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina during the holiday campaign, which ran from Dec. 3 through Jan. 2, resulting in 44 fatalities and 702 injuries.</p><p>Officers charged more than 3,600 North Carolina motorists with driving while impaired during the 2011 Holiday "Booze It & Lose It" campaign. More than 10,000 stepped-up patrols and checkpoints were conducted.</p>